The following aspects of the existing site environment are discussed: geology, hydrology, climatology, soils, air quality, noise, biology, archaeolocy, land use, and socioeconomics and demography. Also included are: the project description, environmental impacts and mitigation measures, unavoidable adverse impacts, reclamation and restoration, alternatives to the proposed project, irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources, and regulatory compliance. (MHR)

This report contains the feasibility study, economic analysis, and information relevant to reactivation of the dam in Bethelehem, NH. It outlines a plan of development which calls for sale of the power to a local utility for the first few years of the project and then predominately on-site use of the power in an innovative plan for controlled-environment agriculture. The economic analyses indicate that reactivation of the dam would be a successful venture based on the present market value of 4.5 cents/kWh. The success of the second phase in the dam's use rests on the increasing financial attractiveness of locally grown produce in a state that currently imports over 90% of its food and is experiencing the spiraling costs of food, energy, and inflation. The best-suited turbine package for the site is an Ossberger 750-kW unit which would provide 4,014,000 kWh per year with a plant factor of 61%. The total capital costs of the project are $827,935.

Samples and data from previous cruises were analyzed with a view to understanding those biological, chemical, and physical processes which affect energy-related pollutants in the marine environment of the continental margin. Two cruises designed to expand the sample base, measure the time variability of several transfer processes, and to test specific hypotheses on the mechanisms for processes which effect exchange of continental margin with open ocean waters were carried out. Progress was made in understanding the relative roles of nutrients and light in controlling the productivity of important primary biomass (and hence, particle) producers. Progress was also made in understanding the influences of phytoplankton populations on distribution of inorganic nutrients, dissolved oxygen and particulate organic matter. In addition, preliminary results from field work support the hypothesis that most diatom production on the shelf sinks to the bottom where it enters benthic food chains or provides seed populations for subsequent blooms. Radionuclides were studied in water columns and in sediments to develop an understanding of processes associated with suspended solids and with sediments as sinks for radionuclides and other pollutants. Major progress was made on the analysis of hydrographic data from all previous cruises and to evolve a comprehensive picture of …

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A description is presented of a set of nine slide/tape programs and two sets of overhead transparencies that were developed to accompany earlier designed curriculum for real estate professionals. The present project includes the development of standardized implementation procedures for use by energy extension service offices and an instructor's manual designed to integrate use of the slide/tape programs and overhead transparencies with the textbook, Making the Most of Energy in Real Estate, which was developed earlier. (MCW)

Twenty papers are included. A separate abstract was prepared for each paper. (MHR)

The use of the Oregon State University TRIGA Reactor during the year ending June 30, 1979, is summarized. Environmental and radiation protection data related to reactor operation and effluents are included.

The curriculum presented is designed to be used by States in training energy auditors. The curriculum has been prepared to insure that participating individuals are technically competent to plan, implement, and follow-up energy audits. Successful completion of the program satisfies general-qualification requirements for an energy auditor. The core of the training curriculum is the logical sequence of steps that the energy auditor will be experiencing in conducting energy audits and the implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive energy-management program. (MCW)

The following subjects are included: a geothermal resource overview, the evolution of the current Texas geopressured-geothermal institutional structure, project evaluation with uncertainty and the structure of incentives, the natural gas industry, the electric utility industry, potential governmental participants in resource development, industrial users of thermal energy, current government incentives bearing on geopressured-geothermal development, six profiles for utilization of the geopressured-geothermal resources in the mid-term, and probable impacts of new government incentives on mid-term resource utilization profiles. (MHR)

From November 1978 through March 1979 the California Geothermal Resources Board held four workshops on the following aspects of geothermal development in California: County Planning for Geothermal Development; Federal Leasing and Environmental Review Procedures; Transmission Corridor Planning; and Direct Heat Utilization. One of the objectives of the workshops was to increase the number of people aware of geothermal resources and their uses. This report is divided into two parts. Part 1 provides summaries of all the key information discussed in the workshops. For those people who were not able to attend, this part of the report provides you with a capsule version of the workshop sessions. Part 2 focuses on the key issues raised at the workshops which need to be acted upon to expedite geothermal resource development that is acceptable to local government and environmentally prudent. For the purpose of continuity, similar Geothermal Resources Task Force recommendations are identified.

Separate abstracts were prepared for each section of the Annual Report. (JSR)

The development of a horizontal in-situ retorting process may have significant impacts upon valuable environmental resources. A research program has been developed to identify, assess, and minimize the adverse environmental impacts which may result. The goals are to: describe the environment as it existed prior to disturbance; determine the nature and extent of the changes; develop and implement measures to minimize the adverse impacts; develop and implement reclamation procedures which will return the affected land to its original level; and coordinate measures to protect the health and safety of persons and animals which may be affected by the activities. Specific research areas are outlined. These include atmospheric, hydrologic, terrestrial ecology, and social/economic research. (DMC)

This report presents data compiled on the estimated energy conservation achieved by programs included in the Illinois Energy Conservation Plan. Summaries are given for the following areas: thermal and lighting standards; state and local procurement standards; carpooling, vanpooling, and public transit; right turn on red; energy data information system; Homeowner's Extension Program; agricultural resource applications; Farm Energy Conservation Program; Commercial Industrial Program; Public Utilities Program; School Energy Management Program; energy management assistance to local government; Administration of State Plan; energy conservation information; energy management for state buildings; solar energy; waste to energy and resource recovery; intergovernmental coordination; community technology assistance.

The photosynthetic energy stored in plant and organic waste materials in the United States amounts to approximately 40% of the nation's total energy consumption. Conversion of this energy to usable power sources is a complex process, involving many possible materials, conversion technologies, and energy products. Near-term biomass technologies are predominantly based on traditional fuel use and have the advantage over other solar technologies of fitting into existing tax and business practices. However, no other solar technology has the potential for such large environmental impacts. Unlike the conversion of sun, wind, and ocean thermal energy, the conversion of the biomass energy source, in the form of biomass residues and wastes, can create problems. Environmental impacts may be significant, and legal responses to these impacts are a key determinant to the widespread adoption of biomass technologies. This paper focuses on the major legal areas which will impact on biomass energy conversion. These include (1) the effect of existing state and federal legislation, (2) the role of regulatory agencies in the development of biomass energy, (3) governmental incentives to biomass development, and (4) legal issues surrounding the functioning of the technologies themselves. Emphasis is placed on the near-term technologies whose environmental impacts and …

A compilation of published articles and reports dealing with passive solar energy concepts for heating and cooling buildings is presented. The following are included: fundamental of passive systems, applications and technical analysis, graphic tools, and information sources. (MHR)

Impacts from Morton Ranch Uranium Mill will result in: alterations of up to 270 acres occupied by the mill facilities; increase in the existing background radiation levels; socioeconomic effects on Glenrock and Douglas, Wyoming. Solid waste material (tailings solids) from the mill will be deposited onsite in exhausted surface mine pits. Any license issued for the Morton Ranch mill will be subject to conditions for the protection of the environment.

This is a plan for development of a downtown Boise geothermal district space heating system incorporating legal, engineering, organizational, geological, and economic requirements. Topics covered include: resource characteristics, system design and feasibility, economic feasibility, legal overview, organizational alternatives, and conservation. Included in appendices are: property ownership patterns on the Boise Front, existing hot well data, legal briefs, environmental data, decision point communications, typical building heating system retrofit schematics, and background assumptions and data for cost summary. (MHR)

Sixty-one questions are indexed that were raised relative to the DOE public briefing on Energy and Urban Policies/Programs. Questions 1 through 40 were submitted by consumer and public interest groups prior to the briefing and answered by DOE program offices. With Ms. Tina Hobson as moderator, the speakers and panelists answered some of the questions in their presentations. Those presenting speeches were Dr. James Schlesinger, Sam Hughs, Alvin Alm, Donald A. Beattie, William Peacock, Fr. Geno C. Baroni, Walter Jabzanka. Three additional questions were read into the official record of the proceedings at the conclusion of the public briefing. Their answers were prepared by DOE program offices. (MCW)

An inventory of resources based on available information is presented. Potential for utilization and the legal and institutional environment in which development is likely to occur were also considered. Sites selected for this investigation include the 13 identified KGRA's, one PGRA which was chosen because of substantial local interest expressed in favor of development, and one major geologic fault zone which shows indications of high potential. Each chapter represents a planning region and is introduced by a regional overview of the physical setting followed by a narrative summary statement of the specific resource location and characteristics, existing utilization and potential end-uses for future development. Detailed site information in the form of data sheets follows each narrative. (MHR)

Individual abstracts are included for 27 subprojects in radiological physics, microdosimetry, biophysics and radiobiology. (PSB)

Separate abstracts were prepared for the ten sections of the report. The report also includes lists of publications, theses, professional activities, and organization charts. (HLW)

Botanical research conducted at MSU during 1979 is described. Areas of study include cell wall biosynthesis, hormonal regulation, responses of plants to environmental stresses, and molecular studies. (ACR)

Recent studies have shown geothermal power plants to have a significant environmental impact on the ground water of the area. The heavy metals arsenic and mercury are special problems, as both are concentrated by flora and fauna exposed to the effluent waters. Because the toxicity of these and other metallic pollutants present in geothermal effluent depends on the chemical form, or speciation, of the particular metal, any serious study of the environmental impact of a geothermal development should include studies of trace metal speciation, in addition to trace metal concentration. This proposal details a method for determining metal speciation in dilute waters. The method is based on ion-exchange and backed by atomic absorption spectrometry and multiple scanning anodic stripping voltammetry. Special laboratory studies will be performed on mercury, arsenic and selenium speciation in synthetic geothermal water. The method will be applied to three known geothermal areas in Washington and Oregon, with emphasis on the speciation of mercury, arsenic and selenium in these waters. The computer controlled electrochemical instrumentation was built and tested. Using this instrumentation, a new experimental procedure was developed to determine the chemical form (speciation) of metal ions in very dilute solutions (ng/ml). This method was tested on …